16-halo testosterone and process



2,857,403 16-HALO TEsTosTERoNE AND PROCESS Josef Fried and Gordon H. Thomas, New Brunswick,

1., assignors to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Virginia 7 No Drawing. Application February 7, 1 $57 Serial No. 638,674

I 13 Claims; (CL 260-3973 metal halide or alkaline earth metal halide to yield a 16-haloandrostenedione and, if desired, either reducing the lf7-keto group to a 17-hydroxy grouping to yield a l6-halotestosterone or treating the -l6-haloandrostene- States Patent dione with a Grignard reagent to yield the corresponding Hot-substituted 16-halo-testosterone.

The compounds of thisinvention may be represented by the general formula:

wherein individually R is hydroxy and R or lower alkyl and together R and R is keto, and X is halogen (which may be in either the alpha or beta p sition)- a To prepare the compounds of this invention, la-hy droxy-androstenedione is treated with an organic sulfonating agent such as a lower alkane sulfonyl halide (e. g., msyl: chloride) or a monocyclic aromatic sulfonyl halide (e? g.,- tosyl chloride). This reaction is preferably conducted in the cold in the presence of an organic base, such as pyridine. The reaction results in the formation of a sulfonic acid ester of l6u-hydroxyandrostenedione (e. g., A -androsten-l6a-ol-3,l7-dione l6a-mesylate).

Thev sulfonic acid ester formed is then reacted with an alkali metal halide (e; g., potassium fiuoride,'potas sium hydrofluoride, lithium bromide and sodium iodide) or an alkaline earth metal halide (e. g., calcium chloride) to yield l6-haloandrostenedione, wherein the halide corresponds to the halogen ion of the reactant. The reac tion is preferably conducted under substantially anhydrous conditions at an elevated temperature.

To form the 16-halotestosterones of this invention, the 17'-keto group is reduced. The reduction may be accomplished either by protecting the 3-k'eto grouping (as by converting it to the 3-pyrrolidino-3,5-diene derivative byheating with pyrrolidine) and then treating with a reducing, agent, such as lithium aluminum hydride, or directly by treating with a borohydride (e. g., sodium borohydride) To form the 17OL-1OWe1' alkyl derivatives of this invenis hydrogen reagent (e. g., a lower alkyl magnesium iodide).- The intermediate Grignard can then be decomposed and the pyrrolidino group hydrolyzed, as by treating with an acetate butfer, to form the 17a-(l0wer; alkyl)-16-halotestosterone derivative.

This series of steps can be represented by the following I schematic analysis:

The compounds of this invention the same type of preparations as testosterone, for example, with concentration and/or dosage based on the activity of the particular compound.

tion, the pyrrolidino derivative is treated with a Grignard temperatures being in centigrade): EXAMPLE 1 M-androsten-I 6 oa'-0l-3,1 7 -di0ne J 6 a-mesylate (I) The following examples illustrate the invention (all A solution of 16a-hydroxyandrostenedione (1 g.) and 'f,

methanesulfonyl chloride (0.5 ml.) invpyridine (10 ml.) is allowed to stand at 0? is then diluted with water, the precipitated material, collected. and washed with water.

in CHCI NuiOl are physiologically active substances which possess androgenic activity. Thus, the compounds of this invention can be used in lieu of known androgenic steroids, such as testosterone and methyltestosterone, in the treatment of'menopausal disorders, being formulated for such administration in" for 18 hours. The mixture 7 Crystallization from chloroform-methanol gives the pure lra-mesylate (0.971 g.) melting at about 2ll-2l3; [9t] +149' (c, 1.13 j

8 EXAMPLE 2 16a-fluoro-A -androstene-3,17-dione (II) and I6;S-fluoro A -andrstene-3J 7-dione (III) (a) Withpdtmssium flzioridw-A stirred solution of A androsten l6e=ol 3;17-dione 16'a-mesylate (I) (2.8 g.) and anh'ydrousf potassiumfluoride (2.25 g.) in diethylene glycol"(60 ml'.) is heated at110 for 18 hours. The mixture is then diluted with water and extracted with ether (6565011111). The combined ether extracts are washed once with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to? dryness in vacuo. Theresultant gum (about 1.23 g.) isdissolved in benzene (15 ml.) and chrom'atographed on alumina (30' g.). Elution with benzene (300 ml.), followed by crystallization from acetone-hexane, gives about 164 mg. of isomer A (165- fluoroandrostenedione) melting at about 166-169". Furthencrystallization' from acetone-hexane yields an analytical sample with the following properties, M. P; about 171-174; [a] +203 (c, 0.62 in CHCl Analysis.Calculated for C H O F- (304.39): C, 74395; 8.28; F, 6.24. Found: C, 74.98; H, 8.22; F, 6.33.

Further elution'of-the column with benzene (975 ml.) gives an intermediate fiaction comprising a mixture of the two isomers.

Finally, elution-with' more benzene (200' ml'.) and chloroform-benzene (1:9, 300 ml.), followed by crystallizationirom'acetone-hexane, yields about 114 mg. of isomer B (-lfie-fluoroandrostenedione) melting. at about 142-l46-; [a] +195 (c, 0.50 in CHCl Analysis.--alculated for C H O F (304139): C, 74.95% H, 8.28; F, 6.24. Found: C, 75119; H, 8.14; F, 6.71?

The intermediate fraction eluted from the column and the mother liquors from the above crystallizations are combinedandthe resultant material (about 470mg.) rechromatogr aphed on alumina. Crystallization of the best fractions from acetonehexane give isomer A (about 47 mg), M. P. about"168173, and isomer B (about 95 mg), M. P; about-144149.

(5). With potassium hydrogen fluoride-A stirred solution'of the 16'iz-mesylate (I) (500 mg.) and potassium hydrogen fluoride 500 mg. )-in diethylene glycol (30 ml.) is heatedv atJIlO for 18 hours under nitrogen. The product (about 342mg.) obtained on isolation with ether is chromatographed on alumina g.). Elution with benzene-gives: the two isomericl6-fluoroandrostenediones identical inphysical constants with those described above.

EXAMPLE 3 16fl chlora-A -androstene-3J 7-dione (IV) solution of M-androsten-l6d-ol-3,l7-dione 16ozmesylate (I) (100 mg.) and calcium chloride (200 mg.) in absolute ethanol (5 m1.) is heated under reflux for 3 days. Water is added and the ethanol removed in vacuo. The" steroids are extracted with chloroform, the chloroform solution washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent removed in vacuo. The crystalline'res'idue (about. 75 mg.) melts at about 161- 166 The material" is dissolved in benzene (5 ml.) and absorbed on acid-washed alumina 2 g.). Elution with a chloroform-benzene mixture (1:9, 100 ml.), followed by crystallizationfrom acetone-hexane, yields the l6l8-chloro compound (about 48 mg.) melting at about 171-174; [a] +18l (chloroform);

A33, 237 my. (e=17,600)'; \:i "5.72 6.01, 6.22,.

Analysis-Calculated for C -H O Cl (320.85): C, 71.10; H, 7.85; Cl, 11.05. Found: C, 70.85; H, 7.74; CI, 10.89.

4 EXAMPLE 4 By following the procedure of Example 3, but substituting 200 mg. of lithium bromide for the calcium chloride, there is obtained 16 3-bromo-A -androstene-3,l7-dione.

To a refluxing solution of mg. of l6fi-fluoro-A androstene-3,17-dione (III)..in 1 ml. of methanol under nitrogen is: added 0.1 mlof redistilled pyrrolidine. Heat ing is continued for 2'minutes during which time crystals Evaporation of the solvent separate from. solution.

in vacuo leaves 16,8-fluoro-3-pyrrolidino-A -androstadiene- 17-one, which melts at about 212-2l7 (dec.)';-

k238i 7 513, and 6.24;; 7

EXAMPLE 7 1 6a-flu0r0-3-pyrrolidino-A -androstadiene-1 7-one- (VII)?- By followingthe procedure of Example 6, but sub stitut'ingj 114 mg. of 16a-fluoro-A -androstene-3,l'lrdione- (II) for the l6 8-flu'oro derivative, there is obtained about 119 mg. of 16u-fluoro-3-pyrrolidino-A -androstadiene- 17'-one(VII), which melts at about 206-218 ('dec.).

EXAMPLE 8 1 619-Chl0r0-3-pyrrolidino A andr0stadiene-17-0ne (IX) To a refluxing solutionof 16,9-chloro-A -androstene- 3,17-dione (IV) (l40'm'g.) in methanol (3 ml.) under nitrogen is added redistilled pyrrolidine (0.3 ml.). Heating is continued for 2 minutes during which time crystals separate from solution. Evaporation of the solvent in vacuo leaves 16,8-chloro-3-pyrrolidino-3,5-androstadiene-'l7one, which melts at about 192-198" (dec.);

Analysis.Calculatedfor C H ONCl: c, 73.85; H; 8.63; or, 9.48; N, 3.75. Found: 0, 74.52; H, 8.62; 01, 9.00; N, 3.77."

Similarly, 165-bromoandrostenedione. (V) and 16diodoand'rostenedione (V1). can be converted to their pyrrolidino derivatives.

EXAMPLE 9 16,3-flu0r0test0ster0ne (XI) A solution of mg. of 16,3-fiuoro-3-pyrrolidino- A -androstadiene-17-one (VIII) in 10 ml. of dry ether is stirred at room temperature with mg. of lithium. After decomposing aluminum hydride for 45 minutes. the metal complex with ice, there is added to the reduction mixture a buffer comprising 0.8 g. of sodium acetate,

2 ml. of Water, 0.8 ml. of acetic acid and 10 ml. of

methanol. The ether is boiled off, andthe solution is then The resulting 1 refluxed for four. hours under nitrogen. mixture is extracted'with chloroform, the chloroform extract washed with-water, dilute bicarbonate-solution and again with water, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent evaporated'in vacuo. The resultingmater'ial is dissolved in benzene (10 ml.) and'absorbed on acid washed alumina (3 g.). Elution with chloroform-' benzene mixture (1:9, 60 ml.; 1:4, 60 ml.) followed by" crystallization from acetone-hexane yields 16B-fluorotestosterone (about 60 mg), M. P. about 163-165". One

crystallization from acetone-hexane gives an analytical sample which melts at about 165l68 max.

Analysis-Calculated for C H O F (306.41): C, 74.43; H, 8.88; F, 6.20. Found: C, 74.66; H, 8.75; F,

EXAMPLE 10 16a-fluor0testoster0ne (X) isle-2.89, 6.00, 6.18,,

Analysis.Calculated for C H o F (306.41): C, 74.43; H, 8.88; F, 6.20. Found: C, 74.50; H, 8.85; F,

5.99. EXAMPLE ll 16,3-chlorotestosterne (XII) A solution of the 150 mg. of the pyrrolidine compound (IX) in 10 ml. of dry ether is stirred with 80 mg. of lithium aluminum hydride at room temperature for one hour. After decomposing the metal complex in ice, there is added to the reduction mixture at bufler comprising sodium acetate (0.8 g.), water (2 ml.), acetic acid (0.8 ml.) and methanol (10 ml.). The ether is boiled off, and the solution is then refluxed for 5 hours under nitrogen. The resulting mixture is extracted with chloroform, the chloroform extract washed with water, dilute bicarbonate solution and again with water, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent evaporated in vacuo. The resulting material is dissolved in benzene m1.) and absorbed on acid-washed alumina (3 g.). Elution with benzene (250 ml.) yields l6 8-chlorotestosterone (about 37 mg.), M. P. about 174-186. Two crystallizations from acetone-hexane gives a pure sample which melts at about 201-203 [u] +88 (c, 1.22 in CHCl xgg- 239 m, (17,200) A235 2.90, 6.01, 6.21,,

Analysis-Calculated for C H O Cl (322.86): C, 70.66; H, 8.43; Cl, 10.96. Found: C, 70.95; H, 8.24; CI, 10.98.

Similarly, l6/3-bromo-3pyrrolidine-A -androstadienel7-one and 16 8-iod0-3-pyrrolidino-A -androstadiene-17- one can be converted to 16,9-bromotestosterone and 16,9- iodotestosterone, respectively.

EXAMPLE 12 1 6a-fluorotestoste'rone (X) To a solution of 100 mg. of 16a-fluoroandrostenedione in 20 ml. of methanol is added at 0, 18 mg. of sodium borohydride. The mixture is allowed to remain at 0 for one hour, neutralized with 10% acetic acid to pH 6.0, diluted with 10 ml. of water and the methanol removed in vacuo. The residual suspension is extracted with chloroform, the chloroform extract washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residual solid, after two recrystallizations from acetone-hexane, gives pure 16a-fluorotestosterone identical with that described in Example 10.

EXAMPLE 13 I 6 a-fluoro-l 7a-methy lteszosterone (XIII) To a suspension of 300 mg. of 16a-fluoro-3-pyrrolidino- A -androstadiene-17-one in ml. of benzene and 8 ml.

of anhydrous ether is added with exclusion of moisture and stirring under nitrogen 3 ml. of a solution of methylmagnesium iodide in ether. This latter solution is prepared freshly from 2 ml. of methyl iodide, 1 g. of magnesium and 10 m1. of dry ether. The resulting mixture is refluxed for two hours and the excess Grignard reagent decomposed With acetone (1 ml.) and methanol (1 ml.). The mixture is then concentrated to dryness in vacuo, taken up in 10 ml. of methanol and 1.5 ml. of water and, after the addition of 1.5 g. of sodium acetate and 1 ml. of glacial acetic acid, is refluxed for 4 hours. The yellow solution is concentrated in vacuo and taken up in chloroform and water. The chloroform phase is washed with dilute hydrochloric acid, dilute sodium bicarbonate and water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The residue, after recrystallization from acetone-hexane, represents pure 16m-fiuoro-17a-methyltestosterone (XIII).

In a similar manner, by substituting 16,3-fluoro-3-pyrrolidino-A -androstadiene-17-one (VIII) for the fluoro derivative in the procedure of Example 13, there is obtained 16,9-fluoro-17a-methyltestosterone (XIV). Furthermore, if 16/3 chloro 3 pyrrolidine A androstadiene-17one (IX) is substituted for the 16a-fiu0ro derivative and ethyl magnesium iodide for the methylmagnesium iodide in the procedure of Example 13, there is obtained 16B-ch1oro-l7a-ethyltestosterone (XV).

The invention may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A compound of the general formula 3. 16-fluoro-A -androstene-3,17-dione.

4. 16,6-Chloro-A -androstene-3,17-dione.

5. 16-halotestosterone.

6. 16-fluorotestosterone.

7. lGfl-Chlorotestosterone.

8. 16-halo-17a-(lower alkyl)testosterone.

9. A process for preparing 16-halo-A -androstene-3,

l7-d1one which comprises treating l6a-hydroxy-A -androstene-3,17-dione with a sulfonating agent selected from the group consisting of a lower alkane sulfonyl halide and a monocyclic aromatic sulfonyl halide, and reacting the sulfonic acid ester formed with a compound selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal halide and an alkaline earth metal halide.

10. A process for preparing 16-halotestosterone which comprises heating 16-halo-A androstene-3,17-dione with pyrrolidine, treating the resultant 3-pyrrolidino-3,5-diene with lithium aluminum hydride, and recovering the 16- halotestosterone formed.

11. A process for preparing 16-halotestosterone which comprises treating 16-halo-A androstene-3,l7-dione with a bore-hydride and recovering the 16-halotestosterone formed.

12. l6-halo-l7a-methyltestosterone.

13. lfia-Fluoro-l7a-methyltestosterone.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,695,260 Murray Nov. 23, 1954 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE GENERAL FORMULA 